NEW YORK — It is a formula Freddy Garcia and the Yankees have come to accept. They admit it is not textbook, but no longer is the 35-year-old a power pitcher. He now relies on an assortment of off-speed pitches to fool hitters. He works around the strike zone and pitches to contact.

Often, the strategy leads to an high accumulation of pitches and an assortment of jams. When he isn’t at his peak, as was the case Sunday, the labor is that much more strenuous. Battling through another scorching afternoon in the Bronx, Garcia’s fastball did not sink very much. His off-speed pitches didn’t have the usual movement. It did not matter.

As he has done since being reinserted in the Yankees starting rotation July 2, Garcia avoided crises and kept his team in the game. His outing concluded after five innings. He allowed five hits and four walks, two runs, and struck out two. Of his 85 pitches, only 47 were strikes, but he left with his team leading by a run.

From there, his bullpen held the punchless Mariners lineup scoreless and the Yankee lineup generated a couple of timely hits to win, 6-2.

“It’s a mentality that he has,” manager Joe Girardi said. “He’s not afraid to be behind in the count, he’s not afraid to throw his off speed behind in the count. He doesn’t give in.”

It is a mentality Garcia had to assume. Once boasting a fastball in the high 90s, Garcia was forced to reinvent his approach after a series of shoulder injuries. His fastball now tops out at 88 miles-per-hour. His repertoire includes a 64 miles per hour curveball.

The adjustment has prolonged his career. The victory Sunday, his fifth of the season, was the 150th of his career. He is the first Venezuelan player to reach the plateau.

“I still have the record, so that for me is another win,” Garcia, 35, said. “Hopefully it becomes more common.”

The win was ensured with another dose of timely hitting by Raul Ibanez. In the fifth inning, Ibanez clobbered a solo home run over the Yankee bullpen in right-center field. In the next frame, his two-out single plated Chris Stewart, who went 2-for-3 with a walk and three runs, and Curtis Granderson.

“The at-bats prior to that when the guys get on base ahead of you and have those good, quality at-bats, that’s what creates the innings,” Ibanez said. “Fortunately, I was able to find some grass out there.”

Three months ago, Garcia’s career was at a crossroads. While the return of Andy Pettitte was celebrated, someone had to get bumped out of the starting rotation. Garcia’s 12.51 earned run average in four April starts made Joe Girardi’s decision obvious.

Pettitte’s fractured left fibula meant another opportunity. Garcia has capitalized.

Since replacing the injured Pettitte in the starting rotation, Garcia has allowed three runs or fewer in six of his seven starts. He’s thrown at least five innings in each outing and his earned run average has dropped from 5.94 to 5.00. His success comes with extra stress, as was the case in the second inning.

After recording two quick outs, he conceded a double to Michael Saunders. An RBI single to Jesus Montero, the former Yankees prospect’s second of the game, followed. Then a walk to John Jaso.

Eighty-three pitches into his start, Kyle Seager stepped to the plate. Two pitches later, Seager grounded out to first. Another crisis averted.

“That’s just what Freddy does,” Girardi said. “Freddy’s going to give you everything he’s got every time he goes out there.”